Sorry for the recent silence, but things have just been hectic, in a good way I might add!
So here’s the news and views from the past few weeks:
Vitamins
Vitamin D has had a couple of good mentions lately, one from a Cancer Research UK funded study which has noted that fair-skinned people who are prone to sunburn (ha ha this weather!) may need to take supplements to ensure they get enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and teeth and may also play a role in maintaining healthy blood pressure.
All joking aside this is especially important in the winter months when the days are shorter and we are more covered up, adding fair-skinned people to the high risk group, like dark-skinned people such as African-Caribbean and South Asian origin, as well as the elderly, young children, pregnant and breast feeding women. Prof Newton-Bishop said “most people could safely take 10µg (micrograms) of vitamin D daily.”
The second vitamin D finding has stated that the consumption of 800iu (20µg) of either vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 per day can have a significant reduction on the ‘risk of falling’ in the over 60 age bracket, especially when combined with the mineral calcium! This is a finding that has come directly from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), after studying many research papers and five randomised clinical trials.
The panel agreed that vitamin D supplementation (800-1000iu : 20-25µg) in combination with calcium, when compared to calcium alone, could benefit “body sway, muscle function and strength, or both, significantly reducing the risk of falling…”
Vitamin E has also been featured in two recent studies, one promoting its benefits in helping to reduce lung disease in both smokers and non-smokers. Studying 38,597 women either already suffering from or with a high potential to suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with the researchers concluding that the consistently high antioxidant levels associated with the vitamin E correlated directly to a lower risk of COPD and asthma.
The second study, from Malaysia, associates vitamin E rich supplements with a reduction in blood cholesterol levels and so offering a benefit to cardiovascular health. The results showed a decrease of about 5% compared to the the placebo group!
Herbals
Ginger which has traditionally really been used as a travel or pregnancy sickness remedy is now starting to get a lot more attention in studies, and a couple of recent ones have clearly shown it in a very different light!
A very recent study has indicated itself to be the first study to demonstrate the anti-prostate cancer activity of ginger. The findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that ginger inhibited the growth of prostate cancer by 56%. The rich source of antioxidants, including gingerols, found in ginger has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities, and it is these that the scientists believe have this amazing effect on the development of the cancer, preventing the spread of the tumor.
Ginger has also been indicated in helping to reduce the inflammation of the colon in certain groups, again because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The researchers concluded that people who regularly consumed ginger root or its supplements could reduce the risk of colon cancer as they experienced a 28% decrease in colon inflammation – an important precursor to colon cancer – compared to those taking a placebo.
Dr Suzanna Zick and her team assigned volunteers to take either a ginger root extract supplement or a placebo, every day for 28 days. The levels of inflammation in the intestines was measured before and after the trial, and they found significantly reduced markers in those taking the ginger root extract.
Zeaxanthin, an extract from the Marigold, has recently been studied using war veterans with early signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and been shown to improve night driving ability, improve eye chart reading and decrease the number of blind spots. The study was conducted by Dr Stuart Richer at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago and published in the Journal of Optometry.
This study has significant relevance as AMD, a degenerative retinal disease that causes central vision loss and leaves only peripheral vision, is the leading cause of blindness for people over 55 in the Western world.
So, I hope this recent round of news, views and studies is of interest to you all and shows that despite all the legislation being thrown at us there is still plenty happening in the fascinating world of nutrition.
Sources:
BBC Health news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15151930
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/565908
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/research/vitamin-e-tocotrieols-show-cholesterol-benefits-for-healthy-adults-study.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/research/vitamin-e-supplements-may-reduce-lung-disease-risk-cornell-study.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/research/ginger-extract-shows-prostate-benefits-human-benefits.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/research/ginger-supplements-may-reduce-colon-inflammation-and-cancer-risk-suggests-study.html
Nutra Ingredients.com: http://www.nutraingredients.com/content/view/print/575674
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